EXPRESSION AND PLASTICITY OF NO SYNTHASE IN THE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The expression of the nitric oxide (NO)-synthase enzyme (NOS) was anal yzed in several hypothalamic nuclei and in the pituitary gland using i n situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, The effects of physiolo gical and experimental stimuli on the expression of NOS was also inves tigated, Moreover, the role of NO in the secretion of anterior pituita ry hormone luteinizing hormone (LH) was studied using primary culture of pituitary cells, The findings indicate that the expression of neuro nal NOS is hormonally regulated and suggest that NO plays a role in ho rmone secretion. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.